House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani speaks to one of the social aid recipients in Badung Regency, Bali Province, Friday (16/10/2020). Photo: Geraldi/Man

House Speaker Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani urged the government to give more attention to Balinese people who are severely affected by COVID-19, pointing out that the local tourism industry-backed economy has collapsed due to the pandemic. Maharani has planned to distribute donations to those having a tough time financially due to the pandemic.

“That’s why the government and the House try to curb the negative impact of the pandemic on the tourism sector. One of our efforts is by distributing social assistance that you receive today,” Maharani told the assistance beneficiaries in Badung Regency, Bali, Friday (16/10/2020).

The House Speaker was accompanied by Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara and Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati in the event held at Pendopo Jaba Pura, Dauh Yeh Cani Village, Abiansemal District, Badung. She stressed that government social assistance was meant to help people survive during the pandemic, pledging close control over the social assistance disbursement.

Maharani also asked the attending residents to strictly follow the health protocols to prevent the COVID-19 transmission and urged them to inform authorities of any social assistance fraud. “I’m here today to perform the House’s oversight function on the social assistance program. Please use the donation wisely,” she said.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Politician handed over the donation to three residents on behalf of the total 776 beneficiary families in Dauh Yeh Cani Village. The social assistance package consists of IDR 300.000 in cash assistance, 15 kilograms of rice, and essential food products.

Based on the data from the Directorate-General for Poverty Management Management of the Social Affairs Ministry, the total social assistance budget for Bali Province reaches IDR 935,471,000 for 174,480 staple food recipient families, 189,635 cash assistance recipient families, and 934,300 non-Conditional Cash Transfer (PKH) recipient families.

While the assistance disbursement has reached 81 percent, Maharani called upon the government to continue focus on Balinese people and help them reboot the local economy as soon as possible. Following the distribution of social assistance and a dialogue session with local residents, Maharani inspected the simulation of Cash Assistance distribution by PT. Pos Indonesia, Rice Assistance (BSB) by the Indonesian Logistics Agency (Bulog), and Staple Food Assistance by Bank BNI. "I will continue to monitor the process. It is essential to maintain welfare and security so that Bali can reboot its economy back to normal," the Central Java electoral district legislator asserted.

Later that day, Maharani joined the social assistance distribution program in Panjer Village, Denpasar. There, the first woman speaker of the Indonesian House observed the Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT) distribution at a Common Business Group e-Warong (e-stall) and held a dialogue with the beneficiaries.

During the program, Maharani also visited the some of the recipients’ houses. The first house she visited was Ni Ketut Reki’s, a 70-year old widow whose child is disabled. She talked to the lady before handing over an essential food package. The benefit recipient offered her thanks, which Maharani responded with a nod and a smile as she tried to hold back her emotions.

Maharani continued her home visits to another local resident’s, Nyoman Suartini’s (42), a canang (offering basket) vendor. Suartini’s husband lost his job as COVID-19 affected his workplace. Maharani had a chat with Suartini before giving the mother of four a cash transfer. “Many thanks to you, Ms. Maharani, and also to Mr. President and Madam Minister for the assistance,” Suartini conveyed. (opi/sof)